Homebrewed Christianity

In this session, biblical scholar Dominic Crossan examines the fundamental conflict between two visions of peace in the ancient world. He contrasts Augustus' Res Gestae (carved imperial boasts of achievements) with Paul's letters, revealing how Rome established "peace through victory" while Paul offered an alternative vision based on justice and non-violence. Crossan traces this tension back to Genesis, where human civilization begins with Cain's fratricide and escalates through generations of violence, contrasting sharply with the divine vision of creation centered on Sabbath justice. Through archaeological evidence from Galatian sites where Paul traveled, Crossan demonstrates how these competing worldviews physically manifested in the landscape, ultimately challenging us to consider whether humanity's inherent tendency toward escalating violence makes us a sustainable species or whether we must embrace Paul's alternative vision of peace through justice.

To access all 5 of Crossan's lectures, submit questions, and join future live streams, head here to join the class.

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

John Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus at DePaul University, is widely regarded as the foremost historical Jesus scholar of our time. He is the author of several bestselling books, including The Historical Jesus, How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, God and Empire, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, The Greatest Prayer, The Last Week, and The Power of Parable. He lives in Minneola, Florida.

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

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Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

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This is an audio version of an essay on my substack, Process This. In it, I explore the tension between contemplation and fascination in the digital age, particularly regarding smartphone use. Inspired by my son's school essay on phone-free schools, I took up a Lenten social media fast. Learning how deeply our digital habits have affected our capacity for genuine connection has been revelatory. Inspired by recent conversations with philosophers Kevin Hart and Norman Wirzba, I develop a distinction between contemplation and fascination. Through their attention-fragmenting design, smartphones ultimately create hollow connections that diminish our ability to be present with others and ourselves. Rather than advocating for complete technological rejection, I think about intentionally cultivating contemplative practices as a counterbalance to digital habituation, suggesting that creating space for more profound attention may be essential to human freedom in our increasingly digitized world.

I hope you enjoy it and consider supporting my work by joining 80k+ other people on Process This. If you want to read or watch the essay, you will find it here on SubStack.

Related Resources

Norman Wirzba

Kevin Hart

Hartmut Rosa

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Ulises Mejias, Professor of Communication Studies and Director of the Institute for Global Engagement at the State University of New York. WE explore the concept of data colonialism, examining how modern technology companies extract and exploit personal data in ways that parallel historical colonialism. The conversation delves into how these practices impact education, immigration policy, and what resistance might look like in our digital age.

Here are the two editorials Ulises and I discuss

Ulises Mejias is Professor of Communication Studies and Director of the Institute for Global Engagement at the State University of New York. Originally from Mexico City, his scholarship examines the relationship between technology, power, and colonialism. He is co-author with Nick Couldry of The Cost of Connection: How Data Colonizes Human Life and Appropriates It for Capitalism and Data Grab: The New Frontier of Digital Colonialism.  His work focuses on decolonizing approaches to technology and data, particularly exploring how the extraction of personal data represents a new form of colonialism.

As people of faith, the words of the Bible are sacred. But sometimes, if we’re being honest, the Bible —especially the Old Testament — is more confusing than clear. The contradictions and complexities in the texts leave us shaking our head with more questions than answers.

In Sacred Tension: Embracing Dissonance and Dialogue in the Old Testament, popular biblical scholar Bill Brown suggests that the diversity in the Bible is in fact one of its greatest strengths, pointing us toward “more” Bible, not less. He invites us to read the Old Testament as a wide-ranging dialogue that is in conversation both with itself and with us, fostering further discussion and mutual discernment. With passion and expert insight, Brown takes you on an enlivening journey through the Bible, exploring its dissonance and complexity anew. Let the conversations begin! Get 20% off Sacred Tension with promo code HBCST at store.upperroom.org

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by renowned biblical scholar John Dominic Crossan for an exploration of the relationship between Paul and Luke in early Christian texts. Crossan provocatively challenges traditional understandings by arguing that Luke-Acts presents a deliberately modified version of Paul's mission to make Christianity more palatable to Roman authorities. Through detailed textual analysis, Crossan reveals how Luke downplays Paul's apostleship, reimagines his conversion, and strategically portrays Jews as hostile while depicting Romans as receptive. The discussion weaves through complex topics, including the Jerusalem Council, Paul's missionary strategy targeting "God worshipers," and the broader political implications of religious accommodation to the empire. With his characteristic blend of historical insight and contemporary relevance, Crossan ultimately suggests these ancient dynamics remain instructive today, as the merging of religion and politics continues to threaten not just democracy but "our soul." Perfect for listeners interested in biblical criticism, early Christianity, and the intersection of faith and power.

To access all 5 of Crossan's lectures, submit questions, and join future live streams, head here to join the class.

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

John Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus at DePaul University, is widely regarded as the foremost historical Jesus scholar of our time. He is the author of several bestselling books, including The Historical Jesus, How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, God and Empire, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, The Greatest Prayer, The Last Week, and The Power of Parable. He lives in Minneola, Florida.

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Tripp hosts New Testament scholar Matthew Thiessen to discuss his book on The Jewish Paul and explore a fresh understanding of Paul's letters within their proper Jewish context.

Conversation Highlights:

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

Matthew Thiessen is a professor at McMaster University specializing in early Judaism, Christian origins, and the relationship between early Christianity and Judaism. His work focuses on the rise of Christianity, particularly as it relates to early Judaism and the questions related to ethnicity and identity construction.

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Kurt Gray, a psychologist specializing in the nature of outrage and its impact on culture. Our conversation centers around his new book Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground. We explore the psychological foundations of our polarized culture. Dr. Gray, currently transitioning from UNC Chapel Hill to Ohio State, shares insights from his research on how perceptions of harm drive moral judgments across the political spectrum.

The conversation delves into how humans evolved more as prey than predators, explaining our heightened sensitivity to threats and tendency toward outrage in modern contexts. Dr. Gray challenges popular theories about moral foundations, arguing that both liberals and conservatives care about similar values but perceive vulnerability differently across four domains: the environment, marginalized groups, authority figures, and religious symbols.

We unpack practical approaches to navigating political and moral divides, from the importance of face-to-face conversations to understanding the psychological mechanisms behind moral certainty. They explore how religious communities might address polarization, the challenges of engaging with opposing viewpoints in the social media age, and the limitations of using facts alone to bridge moral chasms. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand and transcend the outrage that dominates our public discourse.

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

Dr. Kurt Gray is a Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. He received a PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University. With over 120 published scientific papers, he explores the psychology of morality, politics, religion and AI. Gray is the recipient of numerous early-career and best paper awards, and his findings has been featured in New York Times, the Economist, Scientific American, Wired, and Hidden Brain. Gray is the co-author of the book The Mind Club: Who Thinks, What Feels and Why it Matters. He was almost a geophysicist, but a night trapped in the Canadian wilderness convinced him otherwise.

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the inaugural live stream of the class Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World, John Dominic Crossan joins me to dig into the radical historical Paul. Crosson argues for the importance of understanding Paul within the context of the historical Jesus, despite Paul's often radical and misunderstood teachings. We explore topics like Paul's controversial stance on gender and slavery, backed by textual analysis, and the influence of his letters within early Christian communities. The session also discusses the story of Thecla as an archetype of Paul's radical vision and how these narratives have been reshaped to fit different sociopolitical contexts. Questions from participants help flesh out the complexities around Paul's portrayal in the New Testament and subsequent interpretations.

To access all 5 of Crossan's lectures, submit questions, and join future live streams, head here to join the class.

John Dominic Crossan, professor emeritus at DePaul University, is widely regarded as the foremost historical Jesus scholar of our time. He is the author of several bestselling books, including The Historical Jesus, How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian, God and Empire, Jesus: A Revolutionary Biography, The Greatest Prayer, The Last Week, and The Power of Parable. He lives in Minneola, Florida.

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by political scientist Ryan Burge for an engaging conversation about his fascinating data on religious decline and the rise of the 'Nones' and non-denominational Christianity. We discuss the implications of denominational decline, growing distrust in institutional religion, and the explosive growth of non-denominational churches. This episode features in-depth analysis, intriguing graphs, lively discussions, and insights from prominent social philosophers. 

 *** If you want access to the entire 2-hour conversation and invites to join us live in the future, all you have to do is become a member of either (or both) of our SubStacks — Graphs on Religion & Process This. ***

Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Authorof numerous journal articles, he is the co-founder of and a frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a general audience. Burge is a pastor in the American Baptist Church.

Previous Visits from Ryan Burge

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by evolutionary biologist and curatorial scientist Dr. Lance Grande. Lance shares insights from his extensive career examining the dynamics and changes in evolution, culminating in his exhaustive 600-page book, The Evolution of Religion: A History of Related Traditions. The discussion delves into the application of modern evolutionary theory to the study of organized religion, the impact of religion on human culture, and the challenges and future of religion in an interconnected world. Given the unique and expansive thesis of the book, I was thrilled when Lance agreed to walk us through it with slides at the beginning of our recording session. Don't miss the video version on YouTube to see all of Lance's slides.

Lance Grande is the Negaunee Distinguished Service Curator Emeritus of the Field Museum of Natural and Cultural History in Chicago. He specializes in evolutionary systematics, paleontology, and biology and is deeply interested in the interdisciplinary applications of the scientific method and philosophy. His many books include Curators: Behind the Scenes of Natural History Museums (2017) and The Lost World of Fossil Lake: Snapshots from Deep Time (2013).

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a special episode recorded live at Theology Beer Camp, as we head to Middle Earth with our resident Tolkien Head, Nick Polk and renowned Tolkien scholar Craig Boyd. Boyd opens the session with a deep look at the life of Gandalf and the nature of virtue in Tolkien's world, followed by a compelling conversation on how these themes apply to our lives. The conversation is rich with insights on Gandalf's wisdom, his compassionate leadership, and the deep connections between Tolkien’s characters and biblical figures like Moses. They discuss the amplification of one’s inherent abilities through symbols like Gandalf's ring and explore the deeply intertwined themes of home, adventure, and the ultimate good. The session concludes with emotional reflections and a heartfelt toast celebrating the power of friendship and hope. Get ready to be inspired and perhaps consider joining Theology Beer Camp in St. Paul, Minnesota from October 16-18. Enjoy the journey!

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices